I don't believe this, I think Economists know better:

"Economists modeled the market on the false premise that human beings are entirely rational individuals acting in their own self-interest."

First, economists or at least marketers expect that they can dupe a large number of human beings into making choice that are clearly against that person's self-interest.

Second, everyone knows that not all decisions are rational. Sometimes people will even tell you they know they are making an irrational decision. How often have you heard, "I know I should not be doing this but..."

Third, depending on a humans being's situation relative to achievement, think Maslow's

hierarchy, your self-interest, changes. Nearer the top charity and making the world a better place, become more important for your mental self-image and even good for your security since it could reduce attacks on you for your greed.

I feel your whole premise in this excerpt is flawed. It is good writing and thought provoking but does not make proper conclusions.

TEK